Witch of Endor

The Sorceress of Endor, detail of The Shade of Samuel Invoked by Saul (Dmitry Nikiforovich Martynov, 1857)

The Witch of Endor (Hebrew: בַּעֲלַת־אֹוב בְּעֵין דּוֹר baʿălaṯ-ʾōḇ bəʿĒyn Dōr, "mistress of the ʾōḇ in Endor") is a woman who, according to the Hebrew Bible, was consulted by Saul to summon the spirit of the prophet Samuel. Saul wished to receive advice on defeating the Philistines in battle, after prior attempts to consult God through sacred lots and other means had failed. However, what was summoned (whether the actual ghost of Samuel or a spirit impersonating him) delivered a prophecy of doom against Saul and his army, who were defeated. This event occurs in the First Book of Samuel;[1] it is also mentioned in the deuterocanonical Book of Sirach.[2]

  1. ^ 1 Samuel 28:3–25
  2. ^ Sirach 46:19–20